Device for deterring abuse of drugs

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to devices for deterring drug abuse and methods thereof. More particularly, the disclosure relates to devices for deterring drug abuse by using physical deterrents and/or deterrent substances, including a mechanism that releases a deterrent substance when improper access of the drug is attempted, and methods thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for deterring drug abuse, the device comprising:
 a housing configured to contain a drug that may be accessed through an access port located on a lid attached to the housing; 
 a rotatable portion of the housing or the lid which is capable of rotating a carousel, or rotating relative to a carousel, when in an unsecured position; 
 a locking mechanism coupled with the rotatable portion of the housing or the lid, the locking mechanism having a locked mode, wherein the rotatable portion of the housing or the lid is not normally able to move from a secure position; 
 the locking mechanism further coupled with a piston; 
 the device being configured such that attempts to improperly access the drug:
 a. when the rotatable portion of the housing or the lid is in the secure position, and 
 b. when the locking mechanism is in the locked mode, 
 move the piston and activate the release of a deterrent substance to the drug. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the deterrent substance comprises one or more of a drug antagonist, a chemical irritant, a gelling agent, a colorant, an emetic, or an encapsulating agent. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is coupled to a timer, the locking mechanism locking after a predefined time. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is coupled to a dosage counter, the locking mechanism locking after a predefined dosage has been released from the housing. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a physical deterrent that is part of the housing. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a physical deterrent that is external to the housing. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein cutting a wall of the housing activates the piston, crushing the drug and releasing the deterrent substance into the space holding the drug. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has hollow walls under negative pressure.